The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

NOTICE. "FAIR PLAY," whose letter was inadvertently overlooked last week, makes personal allusions which cannot be admitted under an anonymous signature. If 7te. chooses to allow his name to appear, his letter shall be inserted.

SUMMARY OF THE WEEK. The importance of saria mens in corpore sano is mostly admitted in the present day, and in our colleges and public schools numberless oppor- tunities are given to the students for engaging in the out-door sports and healthful pastimes which are so prevalent. However much we may desire our various educational establishments to turn out first-class scholars, the opinion prevails—and we cordially endorse it-that it is better for young men to be possessed of, it may be, some- what less of book-lore, if, in addition to such knowledge, they can take with them into the world a frame vigorous and healthy, and un- injured by the use, to a great extent, of the mid- night lamp. In the long run, the student, who, while he has diligently attended to the improve- ment of his mind, and the acquirement of the stores of learning within his reach, has so judi- ciously blended his search after knowledge with the use of those means which tend to preserve bodily health and vigour,—he it is who will in all probability do the world more service than the pale and sickly devotee at the shrine of learning, who has pursued his studies regardless of Nature's laws. Enfeebled in body, and the mind's powers paralysed in consequence, the latter drags out an existence, in which he neither has pleasure himself, nor is able to make his rich stores of learning useful to mankind. On the other hand, he who has not abused his physical powers, but with a well-stored mind, possesses likewise the blessing of robust health, will in all probability, through a lengthened life, be the means of benefiting and improving his fellow creatures. If we put side by side two such men as we have sketched, and follow them through life, we shall almost assuredly arrive at the conclusion that, valuable as are the lives of our brightest scholars, yet, if their knowledge be acquired at the expense of health, the lives of those who are inferior to them in ability are probably more valuable still, since their good influence is spread over a larger area. The principle involved in the familiar axiom, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," is similar to the one we have illustrated, and is to some extent acknowledged and acted upon-not merely in school education, but in most of the business walks of life. In some employments it is more necessary than others that it should be so, and it is especially the case in reference to those who are confined in shops from an early hour in the morning till a comparatively late hour at night. It is gratify- ing to know that in many towns the Early Closing Movement has been productive of great good, and that the young people employed in houses of business have by this means obtained a lightening; ro +.], -ir hours of labour, and increased opportunities for healthful exercise, \jh=loJ' enabling them to enter upon and go through their work with much more energy. We believe that the concessions of employers in this respect have in no way interfered with their business or caused a diminution of their profits; and that the increased leisure thus given to their young people has not been frittered away in a foolish and unprofitable-not to say vicious-manner. Out of the Early Closing Movement, Improvement Classes for young men have sprung into being, Penny Readings have been given, and other opportunities afforded for pleasant and profitable enjoyment; and these have no doubt tended, in some degree at least, to raise the tone of those who have taken part in them. It is a rather curious circumstance, however, in connection with the movement, that its operations have been confined almost, if not quite, exclusively to the winter months. When Spring begins to delight us, and the evenings grow light and inviting for a stroll, the shop assistant has to watch, as patiently as he may, the sun sink behind the horizon, flooding the heavens with its glory, but is unable to go forth and enjoy the cool evening breeze, or tread the soft verdure, and listen to the glad song of the warblers in the wood, until The day is done, and the darkness Falls from the wings of night As a feather is wafted downward From an eagle in its flight." A letter which we published last week states that now the winter has passed the shops have relapsed into their old state of being open until nine, and some even till ten o'clock." We cannot believe there is any necessity for this. There is surely time enough in the day for all the shop- ping that is necessary, and if the tradesmen of Brecon, acting in concert, agree to shut at a certain hour, be it seven or eight o'clock, giving their customers due notice of their intention to do so, we see no reason in the world why such a resolution could not be carried out, especially in such a town as Brecon. The writer of the letter we have alluded to says that after such a resolu- tion has been come to, the practice was obliged to be discontinued on account of one tradesman not acting up to it. Such a course of proceeding can scarcely be creditable, and we do not think that it would be the means of bringing increased trade to those who did so. It is to the ladies, principally, that the request is made that they will not shop after a certain hour, say seven o'clock, and by a common agreement the shops could be shut soon after that hour. By this means the assistants would be able to leave about eight o'clock. One other request the assistants make, and that is that one night in the week the shops be closed at four or five o'clock. In many towns the practice is adopted of giving a half-holiday once a week, and the modification of this practice is all that is asked in the present case. We do not think that too much is desired of the tradesmen, and we shall be glad to see a general movement on the part of the Breconian shopkeepers in what may be termed the right direction." It is very gratifying to be able to announce that the hopes entertained that peaceable coun- sels would prevail in regard to the adjustment of the Luxemburg difficulty, have been fulfilled, and that the war cloud which has been hanging for some time past over the continent of Europe, has been dispelled. The treaty regulating the future condition of the Grand Duchy has been signed by the Plenipotentaries of the different Powers represented at the Conference, and the conclusion arrived at is as follows. France abandons all idea of accepting from Holland the surrender of the Duchy, while the Prussian Government withdraws its garrison and renoun- ces all claim to the occupation of the fortress, which will be razed. The province will be declared neutral territory, and the neutrality will be guaranteed by the Great Powers. This guarantee Prussia made an indispensable con- dition of its withdrawal from the fortress. It is not however a great thing for England to give, as it is hardly likely to involve us in a war to enforce it. The meetings of the Conference scarcely extended over a week, and the decision, so quickly and so satisfactorily come to, is an indication of the spirit with which the repre- sentatives met. The result is not only satisfac- tory in itself, but speaks well for the adjustment of other differences which may arise between the continental Powers, and also for the con- tinuance of the blessings of Peace. A deputation from the National Reform Union waited on Mr. Gladstone, at his residence, on Saturday last. It consisted of about two hun- dred persons, and including nearly twenty mem- bers of Parliament. They came to express their unqualified admiration of his noble earnest- ness and integrity as a statesman, their deep gratitude for the manner in which he had em- ployed these, among his many other qualities, in the paramount question of Parliamentary Reform, and their unbounded confidence in him as the leader of the Liberal party in the House of Commons." The spokesman on the occasion was Mr. George Wilson, and it was he who presented the address. In replying to the deputation, the right honourable gentleman expressed the pain and astonishment he felt at the present state of Parliamentary Reform, and then illustrated the situation of the Liberal party by a story of a sporting gentleman in Wales, who having lost the chase, met a countryman, and inquired if he had seen a fox. Yes," was the reply, "I seed him, and he was but a very little one, and he runned up a tree, there was a Liberal party, and though it was a very little one, he trusted it would not run up a tree, but remain on the ground, and prosecute the contest in which it was engaged. After replying at length to the points of the address, Mr. Gladstone said he wholly disowned and rejected any measure which rested on the basis of a personal rating, and the passing of such a bill would be the commence- ment of a fresh conflict. In concluding his observations, he said if the provision became law, he should feel it his duty to use whatever legitimate means he could to do away with it. In reply to loud calls, Mr. Bright came forward, and briefly addressed the meeting, urging the holding of large meetings and the presentation of monster petitions, expressing his belief that by these means the bill might be thrown out, even in the present session. Mr. Gathorne Hardy will succeed Mr. Walpole at the Home Office. The latter gentleman will still have a seat in the Cabinet, though without office. The office of President of the Poor Law Board will thus become vacant by Mr. Hardy's acceptance of the seals of the Home Department, and both Sir Robert Peel and the Earl of Devon have been mentioned as his successor. Who- ever is appointed will not, in all likelihood, have a seat in the Cabinet, since the number of those composing that select body is already extended to its extreme limit. If the Earl of Devon is appointed, a vacancy will be created in the Chancellorship of the Duchy of Lancaster. It is, however, questioned whether the office of Presi- dent of the Poor Law Board can be filled by a member of the Upper House. It has hitherto been held by a member of the House of Com- mons. As regards Sir Robert Peel, in the autumn of 1865, he refused the Chancellorship of the Duchy of Lancaster, when offered it by Lord Russell, because he was not to have a seat in the Cabinet. Whether he will refuse the vacant post for a similar reason remains to be seen. The strike of the London tailors has lasted for three weeks, but we understand that, at present, the masters have not been able to get as many as 20 men to supply the place of the 2,000, on strike. The attitude of the men, as it has been indeed from the commencement of the affair, appears to contrast favourably with that of the masters. The committee of the former have offered to resume work on the same terms as before the strike, provided the masters will agree to have the matter in dispute arbitrated upon by a third party, each side pledging itself to abide by the award. The masters' committee, how- ever, have declined this offer, and express their determination to break up, if possible, the union of the men. They have sent circulars to their customers, and to the trade, stating their belief that they will be able to effect their intention in a fortnight, in consequence of the large amount of money required by the union to pay the weekly allowance to 2,800 men and women. As regards the strike on the North Eastern Railway, lh\' vï i/lic? ciigliJLt; Clrlvtno lx<ave DeGTl orUU¡;1Ll> before the magistrates at Darlington. Mr. Richardson, of York, stated that if the men pleaded guilty, the Company did not wish to press the case, further than asking that their wages should be forfeited, according to contract, for leaving work without proper notice. The men took this course, though the wages coming to them averaged zC,5 each, in some cases X6 being due. It was stated that the Company would not take the men back. All the arrange- ments of the line are said to be completed, although two or three passenger trains are still kept off. Leave was given to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on Monday evening, to introduce his Scotch Reform Bill. In the general construc- tion of it, he explained he had borrowed the model of the English bill. It was found impos- sible to establish any franchise in boroughs which would give promise of a permanent character, except upon the principle of value, and he had therefore adopted for Scjotland the same principle as for England, viz. that of the performance of public duty, in other words, the personal payment of rates. With regard to the counties, he proposed the franchise should be reduced to the same scale and in the same man- ner as it was proposed to reduce it in England. The property franchise would be untouched. In reference to the distribution of seats, he pro- posed to add seven to the existing number. Two of these are to be conferred on the Scotch Universities,—one upon Edinburgh united with St. Andrew's, and the other upon Glasgow united with Aberdeen University. The three counties of Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, and Aberdeen are to be each divided into two parts, and each division is to have one member. Glasgow is also to be divided; the part above the Clyde being represented by two members, as at present, and the southern portion, augmented, by certain suburbs, to be a separate burgh, and to be represented by one member. It is likewise pro- posed to dissolve the two group burghs of Fal- kirk and Kilmarnock, and with the addition of other burghs to make three groups, each group to have one member. A discussion took place in reference to the proposed bill, which was mostly of a favourable character. In the Court of Queen's Bench, on Tuesday, a decision was given in a case which is of impor- tance, from its being connected with trades' unions. It was an appeal against a conviction, under the Masters' and Servants' Act, for attempting by threats to force a master to dis- miss a workman for not joining a union. Mr. Kitch is a builder of Bridgewater, and a man named Skinner is the Secretary to the local Carpenters' and Joiners' Union. Skinner de- livered to Kitch a letter from the committee of this union, informing him that his men had notice to come out on strike unless a man.named J. Jordan joined the society. A few days after- wards the men left their work. Skinner was prosecuted before the magistrates, and convicted of attempting by threats to force the complai- nant to limit the number of his apprentices or the number or description of his workmen. The present case was an appeal from this decision, and Mr. Justice Blackburn, in giving judgment, said it was impossible to imagine a greater piece of tyranny than to insist that a master shall have his work stopped unless he consented to dismiss a workman for not belonging to a society, which he had a right, in the exercise of his liberty as a free subject, to refuse to belong to. Justices Shee and Lush concurred, and the conviction was affirmed. The Gazette of Tuesday night announces that the Queen has appointed Mr. Hugh Seymour Tremenheere and Mr. Edward Carleton Tufnell to be Her Majesty's Commissioners to enquire into and report on the employment of children, young persons, and women in agriculture, for the purpose of ascertaining to what extent and with what modifications the principles of the Factory Act can be adopted for the regulation of such employment, and especially with a view to the better education of such children. Mr. Fawcett has also obtained leave to bring in a bill to provide for the education of children employed in agriculture, his desire being that every child under thirteen years of age, so employed, should be required to attend school every alternate day. In the House of Lords, on Tuesday, the Earl of Shaftesbury moved the second reading of the Clerical Vestments' Bill. He maintained that the Ritualist^) practices were contrary to the usages of the Church, and said the time had arrived for attempting to apply a remedy to the evils which were complained of. He urged that these practices had changed the Protestant character of many of our churches, and had assimilated the mode of conducting their services to that of the Church of Rome, the effect being in many instances to produce complete in- difference to public worship, and to alienate those who were amongst the most devout and faithful members of the Church. He also con- tended that legislation on the subject ought to precede the issue of a Royal Commission. A long discussion took place upon the subject, and eventually the debate was adjourned for two months, on the motion of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who said that the bishops had taken the opinion of four eminent legal gentlemen, and there were cases pending which rendered it un- advisable to take action until such cases were decided. He also thought the heads of the Church might safely be left to deal with the difficulty.

THE NATIONAL PROVINCIAL BANK OF ENGLAND. The directors of this bank have published their 34th annual report, in which they say The last annual meeting of the proprietors bad scarcely terminated when the failure of the great ohcount establishment of Overend, Grrney, and Co. took place. This event greatly increased the pecuniary embarrassment which had prevailed for some months previously, and produced so much general distrust as to led to a very active demand on all monetary institutions, and to the ruin of some of them. The suspension ot the Bank Charter Act of 1844 only afforded partial rtlief, and t he ri i e of 110 per cent, for money was maintained tor the unprecedented period of three months. While, however, this event proved very disa,trous to many banking ins'itutions, it was the means of securing a lar e accession of valuable business to this bank, which, from its credit and posi- tion, con'inued to enjoy during the eventful period the undiminished confidence of the public. Under the exceptional and trying circumstances above related, this institution, after an existence ot 33 years, com- menced the business of a bank in London and although this measure involved the serious sacrifice of the right of issue, and placed the bank in competition with the large and long-esiablished metropolitan banks, the result has amply justified the course taken, and has fully realised the expectations formed by the directors. The conduct of the new business in London has thrown additional labour and responsibility upon the directors, but satisfactory arrangements having been made to secure their attendance during the entire day, the opera: ions of the bank have been carried on with complete succ.ss. A large and valuable business has been done, and the bank at the end of the year numbers no less than 3,191 new accounts throughout the estab- lishment. The general trade of the country, notwith- standing the embarrassments alluded to, has, upon the whole, been sound, as evidenced by the small amount of commercial failures, while the derangement of the iron and shipping interests may be traced mainly to t he construction of works of an unproductive character. The value of money, which was raised on the 8th ot January to 8 per cent., receded by the 15th of March to 6 per cent., at which it remained until the beginning of May, when it again advanced by four rapid steps in ten days, and on the 12 h May it reached £10 per cent, at which figure it remained for no It-ss a period than three montns, when it feil to 8 per cent. on the 16th August, and, notwithstanding a very important rise in the corn market, occasioned by a deficient harvest, extending over a great part of the west of Europe, it pursued its downward course till it reached 3 per cent, on 20th December. The average value ot money for the year was X6 18s. per cent. The result of the year's operations, although attended with some increase to the average amount of bad debts, has, nevertheless, been highly favourable for banking profits, as exhibited in the following satisfactory results, viz. 1866, Jan. 1.—Rest or undivided profits at De- cember 31, 1865, as exhibited at the annual meeting in May, 1866 322,412 4 0 Less bonus declared and paid in cash in 1866 out of this, amounting to 86,400 0 0 Leaving 236,012 4 0 DeC" after making debts, and bonus of 10 per cent. to officers 283,574 7 5 Making 519,586 11 5 Add undivided profits for 1865 10,000 0 0 Total. 529,586 11 5 Deduct dividend on Company's stock, paid July, 1866 £ 43,200 0 0 Ditto, January 1867 43,200 0 0 Bonus of 7 per cent. paid January, 1867 75,600 0 0 Undivided profits to next year 20,000 0 0 182,000 0 0 Leaving 374,586 11 5 Out of these profits the directors propose to de- clare, in addition to the foregoing dividend and bonus paid to proprietors as above stated, a further bonus of nine per cent. in July next, making a division of profits in 1866 in all 24 per cent. upon the paid-up capital at December 31, 1866, free of in- come tax, amounting to 97,200 0 0 Leaving reserve 250,386 11 5 Invested in Government Securities. Ibe directors have hd application horn a variety of quarters to open branches, under favourable cir- cumstances, by transfer or amalgamation wi h highly respectable establishments but finding the general business of the batik, both in town and country, pro- gress so rapidly from independent sources, they felr called upon to decline paying a premium for any such accessions. An eligible opening was afforded at Norwich (by the withdrawal of the Consolidated Bank) to strengthen the bank's connections in the east of England, and the premises of that establishment, together with the services of its local manager, having been securet), a branch was opened there in June last, and with complete success. In Wales a sub-agency was opened at Lampeter, which promises to be a useful adjunct to the Llandovery branch. Annexed is an abstract, shoeing the liabilities and assets of the bank at 31st December last

NATIONAL PROVINCIAL BANK OF ENGLAND. 31st December, 1866. n UK. LIABILITIES. 3FC S a To paid-up capital 1,080,000 0 0 To amount due by the Bank on deposits, &c. 13,059,813 5 8 To acceptances 335,422 8 1 To reserve fund, 1st January, 1866 £ 236,012 4 0 Addition, 31st December 14,374 7 5 250,386 11 5 To profit and loss balance 117,200 0 0 14,842,822 5 2 CE. ASSPTI;. s d By cash in hand-at Bank of England and branches, call and short notice 2,002,248 13 3 By Government securities 2,248,476 13 10 By other securities, debentures, &c. 1,222,525 13 9 By bills discounted, loans, &e. 9,101,701 3 11 By freehold premises, &c., in London and country- Total amount £ 334,768 4 3 Less, at credit of building fund 66,898 3 10 267,870 0 5 14,842,822 5 2 In reference to the above report, the Economist mukes the following observations :All persons conversant with English banking were interested at the great experiment made by the National Pro- vincial Bank in beginning business in London, and in consequence relinquishing (without any allowance from the Bank of England) their note circulation. But few people knew how small a matter that Bote circulation was to them. The limit of their circu- lation was £442,371, but now they show that they have ahove thirteen millions sterling of real n oney deposited with them by other people. No other bank which separates its deposits from its acceptances shows as much, or near as much, except the London and Westminster Bank and the Bank ot England. Their account compares very favourably with that of most others in the most material respect-the amount of convertible securities is very large. It would be invidious to cite instances, but any one who will examine the body of accounts of banks which we publish half-yearly in collected forms, will find that such a large amount of available resources is very rare indeed. Nothing can be more satisfactory than so good an account. Next to the Bank of England there is hardly any bank of which the substantial soundness is so important as that of the National Provincial Bank of England. It runs through every part of England if its credit is good, it strengthens all other credit if it were not good, it would weaken all other credit, and, therefore, it is most satisfactory to find that we have such thorough and complete grounds for national reliance upon it."

BRECON AND MERTHYR RAILWAY.—68 miles open. Traffic for week ending May 5, 1867:— passengers, parcels, tec £392 15 11 Goods and live stock E917 12 3 Total £ 1310 8 2 zEI9 5s. 5d. per mile per week. Corresponding week last year, 64 miles open :— Passengers, parcels, &c f,417 19 7 Goods and live stock £779 4 1 1 Total £ 1197 3 8 £18 14s. Id. per mile per week. Increase. £ 113 4 6 Aggregate from 1st January, 1867 £ 20338 7 9i Ditto ditto 1866 £ 20795 18 6

BRECON BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The usual meeting of thisB ard was held on Satur- day morning, at the Town Hall, W. Perrott, Esq., in the chair. There were also present, Lewis Hughes, Esq., Messrs. F. Watkins Christ's College T. S. Cornish, Llanspyddid Llewellyn Rees, Maescar; John Davies, Llandefailog fach Thomas Williams, Modrydd Thomas Lewis, Llanfihangel Talyllyn Philip Morgan, Llanfihangel Nalll bran; Thomas Fer- rar, Lland(iew; Philip Edwards, St. John Thomas Evans, St. Mary James Powell, Cray David Price, Llangasty Talyl yn; Thomas Griffiths, Glyn; John Prothero, St. Mary James Probert, St. David Rees Williams, Llanfigan; James Evans, Ysclydach Wil- liam Davies, Llanfrynach John Morris, Cantreff; and David Morgan, Merthyr Cynog. VAGRANTS. It appeared that the number of the vagrants had been 59 bdng considerably less than on previous occasions. It seems that bread and water diet does not agree with the travelling gentry. THE VISITORS' BOOK. The visitors reported that they had found all the apartments of the workhouse clean and neat, and that the inmates appeared perfectly satisfied, They re- commended the colouring of the interior as soon as possible. APPLICATIONS TO LEAVE THE HOUSE. There were several applications to leave the house, but the Buard thought it expedient to tefuse all of them, except that of a man named David Jenkins, who was allowed one shilling per week as out-door relief. THE MASTER'S JOURNAL. The Master of the Workhouse reported that he needed a dozen pairs of trousers for the boys, half a dozen pairs of boots for girls, and a similar number for buys. The necessary order was made for the articles required. It was blso reported tint there h- d been two admissions wi, hin the last fortnight, and five discharges, leaving 83 still in the house, being an increase of nine on the corresponding week of last year. The cost of maintenance per head was 2s. 9Jd. RELIEF. It appeared that the relief in money, in the week ending May 4th, had been, in Breconshire, R,32 17s 9ti.; in kind, X4 Is. 2d total, t36 18s. lid. In the week ending May 11th, zC28 17s. 9d. At Llant:orse, in money, £21 10s. in kind, 4s. 8d. total, X21 14s. 8d., and £ 19 6s. 4d. At D, fynock, in money, Y,27 14s., and £ 27. UNION DIET. The Clerk read a circular from the Poor Law Board, calling the attention of the Guardians to the report of Dr. Edward Smith, the medical officer ot the Board, with respect to the diversities which existed in the dieis in use in Union Workhouses, and the expediency of securing greater uniformity in regard to the general principle upon which such dietaries were regulated. It was not thought, neces- sary to read the report, on account of its length, and no order was made in reference to it. OPENING OF TENDERS. Th. re were four tenders fur the alterations to the W orkhouse and Infirmary. They were as follows Messrs. Williams and Sons £ 496. Mr. Thomas Price 520. Mr. J. Griffi hs 550. Mr. Rees Price 580. fl.1- "'It.¡r -r VII tile mo ion or ivir. J. frottipro, the tender of Messrs. Williams and Suns was accepted. At the suggestion of Mr. T. Evans, it was thought advisable to fix a day for the c >mpli-tion of the work, and Mr. Williams was called in, and the 9th Septem- her was fixed upon as the time by which the work was to be finished. Some conversation took place as to the advisability of appointing a clerk of the works, but it was ob- jected to on account of the expense, and no decision was arrived at on the point. NEW TORTER. Mr. J. Prothero stated that they had no porter, and moved that John Rawlins be appointed to that office. Mr. Watkins seconded the motion. The Clerk stated that it was necessary for them to get the other person to resign first of all. Mr. Evans said he was nearly blind, and incapable of performing his duties. It was decided to adjourn the matter for a fortnight, and that the next meeting of the Board should take place at the Union.

BRECON POLICE INTELLIGENCE. COUNTY SPECIAL PETTY SESSIONS, SHIRE HALL, SATURDAY, before LEWIS HUGHES, Esq. ADJOURNED CASE OF HORSE STEALING.- William yjTovKeib was Drougnt up on remaua utais. j ;h having stolen a mare, the property of James Price, a farmer, at Llwnon, Defy nock. The following evidence was adduced :—The prosecutor said he was a farmer, living at Llwynon, Defynock, and the prisoner had been in his service about a month, his engagement terminating on Friday, the 3rd instant. He was allowed, however, to remain in the house till the fol- lowing Monday. At two o'clock en Monday morning, witness bad occasion to get up to see after a calf, ahd found that the prisoner was not. in bed. He went to see if he were in the stable, hut found.he was not there, and that one of the horses was missing, and also the saddle and bridle. He tracked the mare down to Senny Bridge, along the turnpike road leading to Brecon, and then gave information to the police.— P.S. Thomas Gabt iel said that from information re- ceived from the prosecutor on Monday morning, he went in search of the prisoner and the stolen mare he traced him through Brecon to Builth, where he found the mare in the prisoner's possession; it was then about half-past nine o'clock, and the prisoner was in the act of selling the mare, which he was riding f he stood by, and heard the prisoner offer the mare to a man named James Richards, for X8 10s. Richards offered t8 witness then asked him wtoere he brought the mare from prisoner said he brought her from Chepstow he asked him %,hose mare it was, and he replied that it was his own witness then took him into custody, and charged him with stealing the mare, the bridle, ai-d saddle.—James Richards next deposed to having been at the fair in Builth on Monday last, about tialf-past nine o'clock, when the prisoner rode up to him and offered the mare only for sale; he asked £8 10s. for her prisoner said nothing as to who was the owner of the mare witness asked him where he broughl her from, and prisoner replied that be brough her from Trecastle the policeman then came up and charged him with stealing her.—The prisoner made no defence to the charge, and he was committed to take his trial at the next Quarter Sessions. BOROUGH PETTY SESSIONS, TOWN HALL, I" MONDAY, before J. DAVIES (Mayor), JOSEPH JO.-EPH, and J. PROTHERO, Esqrs. DRUNK AND DISORDERLy-A militiaman, named John Price, was charged with being drunk and riutous on Friday night. It appeared that the defendant was in the Brewery about half-past nine o clock. He was drunk, and a dispute arose as to his having paid for a pint of beer, and the landlord sent for P.C. Williams to put him out. The defendant admitted the charge and expressed his regret. He was fined 7s. 6d., inclu- ding costs, and allowed three weeks for payment. ASSAULT CASE.-Ann Crowley, an old woman, was charged with an assault upon Margaret Healey. The complainant is the same as was before the Bench list week, the defendant then being a Mary Ann Dennis, the daughter of the present defendant..The com plainant had been set upon by both of them, thrown on the ground, and beat about a good deal, the defen- dant in this case kicking her in the eye, and inflicting a severe injury. The defendant said it was her daughter had got her into this mess, and she then called a witness named Mary Hopkins, who said that she saw the defendant's daughter assaulting the com- plainant, and that Dennis knocked complainant down. She did not see the defendant do anything. The magistrates considered the case proved, and fined the defendant 10s., including costs, allowing a fortnight for payment. ANOTHER ASSAULT CASE.-William Davies was charged with an assault upon Mary Williams, on the night of Saturday, the 4th instant. Mr. B. Bishop appeared for the defendant. The complainant stated that she went to the Farmers'Arms on Saturday night, in order to fetch her huband The defendant was there, an.d without her speaking to him, he called her bad names, and afterwards struck her. For the defence, two witnesses were called, who stated that the complainant came into the house, and said to the defendant, "I have been told you have something to say about me if you have, now is your time, before my husband, and your father." Defendant said he had, and called the complainant bad names, and com- plainant replied by striking him in the mouth. The landlord then ordered all the parties out of the house. Mr. Bishop addressed the Beuch, urging that his witnesses were entitled to credence. The Bench, however, after consultation, decided to bind over the defendant to keep the peace for three months, himself in zelo, and two sureties in £5 each. SHIRE HALL, TUESDAY, before G. OVERTON and LEWIS HUGHES, Esqrs. "THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER !Thomas Lewis, a railway labourer, was summoned by Ann, his wife, for having threatened to take away her lite, on Su day, the 28th of April last. Mr. Bunnel Bishop, solicitor, appeared on behalf of the defendant. Complainant stated that for nearly three years she and her children had b. en living at the Wharf, in Talybont, and on Saturday, the 27th ult., defendant, who had been working at Bijflimawr during the week, came home in a great passion and begau to use very threaiening language towards her, and putting his hand to her throai. said he would strangle her she released herself from him, and made her escape to the Post-office, which was at a public-house called the Traveller's Rest, where she stopped that night, fearing to go back to her husband; the next day (Sunday) defendant came to the public-house and again made use of some very threatening language towards her, and said that he would kill her "as dead as a stone;" he afterwards sold the furniture, and took away four of her dresses and two bonnets. Mrs. Evans, landlady of the Tra- vellers' Rest, gave evidence in corroboration of the foregoing statements. Both witnesses were, how- over, minutely examined by the Bench and Mr. Bishop, from which it appeared that the cause of the disagreea bleness which evidently existed between the parties originated about three years ago. The complainant was then living, and had been living for some years, at Weishpool, and defendant was living and working near Brecon, and paving periodical visits to his family. The complainant took in lodgers, and among them was a mason, whose intimacy with the complainant seemed somewhat suspicious,. to those around, and a rather unpleasant rumour was started, which soon reached the ears of the defendant. Defendant received several letters from his daughter, complaining of the conduct of her mother towards herself and the other children, and giving such information as soon roused the green- eyed monster in the bosom of the absent husband, and defendant began to mistrust the honour of his spouse. He then went home and told complainant that the suspected lodger must leave, and tried to persuade his wife to reruove with h.r children to Brecon. Complainant, however, would not move there, but gave the lodger notice, and he left in a fortnight's time. Soon after this the complainant removed to Talybont, and defendant, who was obliged to follow the railway workings, went home period ically, and sent money to his family, sufficient, he thought, to keep them comforta bly; but still the jealous^feeling could not be quelled, and latterly, dis- covering that his wife had run him into debt to the extent of 212, unknown to him, he determined to break ofF all connexion with her, and accordingly sold his furniture and told her he would "forgive her everything but one thing," and would rather "kill her as dead as a stone than live with her any longer. Defendant then made a public announcement to the effect that no further uni .n existed between them, and returnnd to Bryumawr. Complainant remained at the Traveller's Rest, and made application to the Bench on Saturday to bind over the defendant to keep the peace towards her. The Bench endeavoured to show both parties the many discomforts and the misery which would be likely to resul from their separation. both to themselves and their children and urged them to come to terms between themselves, as no justifiable cause for their separation had been shown. Drfendant, however, would not adopt their worships' su. gestion, and he was therefore now bound over in the sum of £40, and to find one surety in £40, or two in X20 each, to keep the peace towards com plainant for the period of twelve months.

CRICKHOWELL GAS AND WATER BILL. This Bill came before a Committee of the House ot Commons, on Tuesday, as an unopposed Bill. The Committee consisted of Mr. Dodson, the Chairman of Ways and lVJens, in the chair; Mr. Rickards, Counsel to the Speaker; and iVr. Howl Gwyn, M.P. The Blllis "for the better supplying with gas and water the town of Crickhowell and its vicinity, in the county of B.econ and for other purposes. The preamble recites that the town and its vicinity is and has, for many years last past, bt en suoplied with gas ano water from works belonging to William Christ pher and John Pratt, and that on account of the increase of population it would be of public advantage thr. t more permanent provision should be made for the supply, and that the existing gas-works and water- works should be improved, and that a Company has been formed for the purpose, which it is expedient should be incorporated and empowered to purchase the said works and lands belonging thereto, and to maintain them. The capital of the Company to be four thousand pounds, in four hundred shares of ten pounds each, with power to borrow one thousand pounds, when the whole of the capital is subscribed and half of it paid up. George Augustus Apreece Davies, Evan Parry, William Christopher, and Henry Jeffreys to be the first Directors of the Company, and the limits of supply to be the parish of Crick- howell, and the parcels of Puisk Lower and Penalit, in the parish of Llanyattock. The maximum charge for gas to be six shillings per thousand cubic feet. MT. J. O. tho OOIIOIHOR FNR the Bill, having been formally examined as to its necessity, stated that the Company proposed to supply gas to the inhabi- tants at a lower rate than they now paid, and to give a more constant supply of water, at as cheap a rate as the present. With reference to the quality of the gas, he said that the coal of the district would not produce more than twelve candles illuminating power, without the admixture of cannel; but upon the sug- gestion of the Chairman that it was usual now to fix fourteen candles as the standard, the alteration was agreed to, and several minor amendments having been made, the Bill passed the Committee, By the agreements for the sale of the works, which are sch duled to the Bill, it appears the price to be paid to Mr. Pratt for the waterworks, and waterbouse, and the leasehold laud on which they are erected, is X800. The purchase money of the gas works and plant is fixed at t2,000, with the option of a rent charge of LIOO a year for at least five years, with six month's notice, in lieu of the payment of the Y,2,000 in cash. Boih agreements are to be carried out within six months of the Bill rpceivin the Royal assent but in t he case of the Gas Company the agreement is binding only in case two hundred shares in the Company be taken by consumers, upon which a deposit of two pounds per share shall have been paid, exclusive ot any shares taken or allotted for or towards the cost ot obtaining the Act.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. LOCAL BANKRUPTS.—Notice of sitting for last examinatioDS: June 18th, D.. Williams, Dowlais, labourer June 12, M. Parry, late of Brecon, inn- keeper. THE SHEEP MARKET.—A large market for the sale of sheep was held here to-day (Friday). A very large number of sheep was offered for sale, but the demancj was very slack and though at fi st very high prices were asked they were greatly reduced, but could no;, he sold, as we heard some excia m, at any price." The prices asked for cardies averaged from 16s. to 18s. each, while for home-reared yearlings 30s and 35s each was asked. A few cows and calves « ere also offered for sale, for which from £ 10 to Y.14 was asked. Sellers were numerous, but buyers very few. SATURDAY'S MARKET.—At this market the prices "sked were generally the same as the previous week. Purchasers, however, were not numerous, and there- tore sales were in many cases only effected at a con- siderable reduction from the prices first asked. The average prices were as follow :—Beef, 9d. and 9d. per lb. mutton, 9d., 9td and lOd. per lb. veal, 6d. and 6trl. per lb. lamb, lid and Is turkeys, 4s., 4s. 6d., and 5s. each fo Is, 3s a, d 3. 6d per couple; eggs, 11 and 12 for 6d. The prices asked for potatoes were white, 14s. red, 10s. per sack but they were sold for less, the demand for them being slacker than .as expected. CRICKET MATCH.—On Monday a match was played between the elevens of Christ's College and the Llandovery Welsh Institution. The day was not the most inviting for the sport, being cold, though fine. The play was moderately good, but we shall hope to see it improved upon. The best single score was made by Mr. Bryant, of the Llandovery eleven, who got as many as twenty five runs in one innings, Mr. D. Lewis obtaining eighteen. To judge by the number of extras," the bowling of the Llandovery men was very mediocre. On this occasion the Christ's College eleven somewhat retrieved their honour, and sue ceeded in beating their opponents, with several wickets to go down. After the game, the players dined together at the Wellington Hotel. The following is the score 1st Innings. CHRIST'S COLLEGE. 2nd Innings. H. J. North, b Bryant 2 run out 4 J. Williams, c Bryant, b Lewis 2 T. "Williams, bLewis 0 not out 2 T. B. Jones, b Lewis 4 b Bryint R. Bowcott, b Bryant 2 c D. Lewis, b Bryant .12 A. J. Lewis, c D. Lewis, b 5 b ■ L Bryant 5 b D. Lewis 0 A. J. Williams, b Lewis 5 not Out 15 F. "W. Jones, run out c Lewis, b Di Lewis 0 E. B. Smedley, b Bryant 1 O. E. Vaughan, c Lewis, b Bryant A. St. John Lane, not out 0 Extras 18 Extras 9 43 42 LLANDOVKEY WELSH INSTITUTION. D. Bowen, b T. B. Jones I b Bowcott 4 F. Lewis, b T. B. Jones I b Bowcott o Bryant, b T. B. Jones 25 c A. Williams b Bowcott. 0 D. Lewis, b Bowcott 1 c T. Jones, b T. Jones 18 H. Hughes, run out 0 not out 2 D. Jones, c and b T. B. Jones 2 b T. B. Jones 6 C. Lewis, b. T. B. Jones 0 b T. B. Jones 1 D. Hughes, b T. B. Jones 0 b T. 13. Jones 1 A. Jenkins, c and b T. B. Jones 2 b Bowcott 1 J. Jones, b T. B. Jones 1 b Bowcott 2 Edwards,notout. 1 b T. B. Jones 2 Extras 8 Extras 5 42 42 THE MILITIA.-The whole regiment was called out on Friday last, and there were comparatively very few absentees. The number on parade on the succeed- ing days was about 314, of all ranks, the commissioned officers present being Lieut.-Col. Bridgwater, Cap- tains Gompertz, Jones, and Morgan Lieutenants T. Gwynne Vaughan, D. A. Price, W. Jeffreys, J. Hitchcock, and J. A. F. Snead Captain and Adjutant Brereton, and Mr. Armstrong, surgeon. The recruits, by the exertions ot the new Sergeant-Major (Orlopp), made very great progress during their 14 days' pre- liminary drill, and are now in the ranks. On Sunday last, the whole force marched to and from church, preceded by the band, which played some stirring strains. The weather, however, proved unfavourable for their first turn out," as it rained heavily the whole of the morning. NEATH AND BUECON RAILWAYS—We understand tha,t in all probability this line of railway will be opened by the 1st of June. Some minor alterations are being carried out, which were considered necessary by the Government Inspector and when the engineer of the line certifies that these requirements have been properly attended to, the necessary permission will be given to open the line for traffic. When the line is open, it is intended to make use of the station at Mount- street as the joint station for the Brecon and Merthyr and Mid-Wales Railways, as well as for the Neath and Brecon, while the present station of the former lines will be used as a goods station. This arrangement will, no doub', be appreciated by the public, as Mount- street is a convenient position, being so centrally situated. The present station at Mount-street is, however, but a temporary affair, and eventually a joint station is to be erected in that neighbourhood, which will be more worthy of Brecon than is the present one. We trust that this latter step may not be far distant. NEW ORGAN AT THE PRESBYTERIAN CHAPEL.-The well-known firm of Messrs. Bevington, of London, have just erected an organ at this place of worship. It is of the class called chancel organs, designed by this firm, to meet the want of an effective organ, with pipes of a full church scale, at a low price. It has the full compass of 54 notes, from CC to F, and an octave and a half of German pedals. There are eight stops, viz --Open diapason, CC to F, 54 pipes; stopt diapason bass, CC to tenor C, 12 claribel, middle C to F, 30 dulciana, tenor C to F, 42 flute, tenor C to F, 42 mixture, 12th and 15th, CC to F, 108; principal, CC to F, 54; and bourdon, CC to tenor C, 12. The organ is of a full round tone, and is quite powerful enough for the church. The dulciana and flute stops are very sweet. The open diapason pipes are exposed to view, and the metal of these is corru- gated. The case of the instrument is of stained pine, and is in thorough harmony with the style of the church, which is the decorated Gothic. The cost of the organ is 100 guineas. CHANGE OF NAME.—We perceive by the London Gazette that "the Queen has been pleased to grant unto David Jeffreys, of Broyrillis, in the parish of Broyn- tlis, in the c iiyit,y of Brecon, esquire, in the Commis- sion of the Peace for the said county of Brecon, son of David Jeffreys, late of Trecastle, in the parish of Llyw<T, lin the said county of Brecon, gentleman, by Mary, his wife, daughter of Thomas Powell, late of recastle aforesaid, gentleman, and sister of Lewis Powell, late of John-street, Berkeley-square, in the county of Middlesex, esquire, all deceased, Her Royal license and authority that he and bis issue may, in compliance with a proviso contained in the last will and testament of his maternal uncle the said Lewis Powell, take and henceforth use the surname of Powell, in addition to and after that of JefFreys, and that he and they may bear and use the arms of Powell quarterly with those of Jeffreys such arms being first duly exempi tied according to the laws of arms, ind recorded in the College of Arms, otherwise the said Royal license and permission to be void and of none effect and to command that the said Royal concession and declaration be registered in Her Majesty's said College of Arms." ARCHIDIACONAL VISITATION.-The visitation of Archdeacon Davies took place on Tuesday week. Service was held at St. John's Church, and was choral throughout. Prayers were intoned by the Rev. J. Jones, curate the Rev. Herbert Williams, the vicar, read the first lesson; and the Rev. G. B. Sharp, the second lesson. After prayers, the names of the clergy were read over, and the greater number of those in the Archdeaconry responded. The Arch- deacon then proceeded to deliver his charge. He first of all expressed his gratification at seeing so many present, and then spoke of the desirability of providing proper and suitable vessels for the celebra- tion of the Holy Communion, saying that in former y cars it had been much neglected, but that in the last few years a vast improvement had taken place. Hav- ing dwelt on the necessity of frequently celebrating the Holy Communion, he referred to the great improvements which had been effected in the various churches since the commencement of his archdeacon- ship, twelve years ago, and remarked particularly on the restoration of Penpont and Cwmtoyddyr churches. Notwithstanding what had been done, however, he said, there were still improvements which might be made in the Archdeaconry. He then referred at length 1o tke subject of establishing a Church Building Society for the Diocese, and afterwards proceeded to make some allusions to the subject of Ritual, express ng his approval of the remarks made by the Bishop in his charge, and deprecating the practices of the ex reme Ritualists; but remarking that so far as this Diocese was concerned he thought there was no particular call for observations on the subject. The churchwardens were next addressed in relation to their duties, the Archdeacon dwelling especially on the great care they should take of the churchyards, in many of which improvements might be effected. The tombs should also be looked to, and animals should not be allowed to graze there. The names of the church- wardens having been called over, and the list of licenses to non-resident incumbents read, the pro- ceedings terminated. A luncheon was afterwards served up at the Castle Hotel. The Ven. Archdeacon presided, John Thirlwall, Esq., being Vice-Chairman. Upwards of forty of the clergy were present. The cus- tomary loyal toasts were given. and the toast of the Lord Bishop was then drunk. The Rev. Garnons Williams proposed, in eulogistic terms, the health of the Archdeacon. The health of the Rural Deans, coupling the name of the Rev. David Parry, and the health of the Vicar of Brecon and other toasts, followed. THE SALMON FISHERY.—Mr. Frank Buckland, the celebrated naturalist and writer upon that subject, has made a short visit to our town during the past week, taking up his temporary abode at the Castle Hotel. The visit was paid in his official capacity as Govern- ment Inspector of Fisheries, and accompanied by Mr. John Lloyd, of Huntington Court, Hereford, one of the Conservators of the river; Mr. Harrison, of New- port, the representative of the Canal Company in addition to other gentlemen, and Beswick, the keeper, Mr. Buckland has inspected the different weirs in the neighbourhood. It appears that at the Red Rock or Castle Mill Weir, and the Honddu Mill Weir, it is quite impossible for the salmon to pass up (he river for spawning purposes, and one of the objects of. the inspection was to take the heights of the various weirs on the Cundrick and Honddu, with a view to placing salmon ladders for facilitating the ascent of the salmon up the river. If this were effected it would give some twelve miles of river for spawning purposes, and this is a very important and desirable thing. We under- stand that some two or three years ago Mr. J. Lloyd placed a salmon ladder at Cundrick, and this has been found to answer so well that it is felt necessary to place others in different parts of the river. Another object Mr. Buckland had in view was the inspection of the new grating at Newton Pool, recently erected for the purpose of keeping the salmon pinks from getting into the canal. This has not answered perfectly, as many pinks have been found in the canal, and several were seen there on the day of the inspection. Mr. Buck- land's investigations will not be confined to our own neighbourhood merely, but he is, we are given to understand, making a tour of inspection of the various districts 011 the tributaries of the Usk and Wye; and on leaving this town he proceeded on his way to Chepstow.^ The result of tiis investigations will be embodied in a special report, and Mr. Buckland will afterwards return for the purpose of seeing that the necessary steps are taken to remedy the existing state of things. From bis long experience and practical acquaintance with salmon culture, we re assured that the best means possible will be adopted for attaining the desired ends, and enhancing the value of: our rivers as salmon fisheries.

HEREFORD. HORRIBLE CRUELTY TO A CIIILD.-Richard Bishop, the marker at the Hereford rifle butts, stands re- manded on a charge of cruelty to his child, Ann Bishop. The child deposed before the magistrates that she was 11 years ot age, and that her father tied her to a beam in the garret and flogged her with a rope. She got loose, and he tied her up again, and she was in that position nearly an hour. The rope was doubled, and she had no clothes on. She escaped through a skylight on to the roof, and fell down into the yard, where a woman picked her up and took her to the police-staiion. The child further stated that her father beat her with stiuging netl les; she was then naked. Her mother did not interfere, and she got under the bed to escape. Her father tied her to a beam round Ihe waist, with her feet ju>t touching the fl "T. The evidence of a doctor and the nurse at tne workhouse confirmed the poor girl's statement.